Ultra-wide band TEM horn antenna for microwave imaging of the breast

In this paper, a novel UWB TEM horn antenna enclosed in a dielectric medium has been proposed for microwave imaging in breast cancer detection. It obviates the use of coupling medium. Also, the outer surface of the dielectric enclosure has been covered by copper sheets and a microwave absorbing sheet to decouple the antenna from surrounding interferences. The design is accomplished through full-wave simulation and then experimentally tuning for good impedance match. An effort has been made to achieve small size within a few centimeters while maintaining good impedance match and directing microwave power toward the breast.